Affiliated Faculty

Nathan W. Hartman

Nathan Hartman is Professor in the Department of Computer Graphics and Director of the Purdue University Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Center of Excellence. He teaches undergraduate courses in 3D modeling and model-based definition, interoperability and data exchange standards, and product data management. He has also taught graduate courses in product lifecycle management (PLM), research methods, and measurement and evaluation. Professor Hartman’s research focuses on the use of 3D CAD tools and digital product definition within the product lifecycle, model-based enterprise, long-term archival (LOTAR) of CAD data, and 3D data interoperability and exchange. Professor Hartman holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Graphics and a Master of Science in Technology from Purdue University, and a Doctor of Education in Technology Education from North Carolina State University. Dr. Hartman has also held industry positions with Fairfield Manufacturing Company, Caterpillar, and RAND Worldwide.

Amy B. Mueller

Amy B Mueller is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette campus. She received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and her MBA in Information Systems from the University of Toledo. Before joining the faculty in 2012, Ms. Mueller spent over 30 years in industry and her career parallels the progression of CAD/CAM to PDM and PLM. She has held industry positions with Owens-Illinois, Parametric Technology, Cummins, Faurecia and Toyota Industrial Equipment as well as a VAR and consulting firms. She has held previous adjunct teaching positions with the University of Toledo and Ivy Tech Community College. Ms. Mueller also worked as the Director of Minds on Math for the Bartholomew County School Corporation which is an after school math enrichment program for fourth graders. She is a member of ASEE, ACM and SWE.

Timothy D. Ropp

Professor Ropp has over 18 years experience in technical operations management and educational development in risk-sensitive industries that include aviation, medical, pharmaceutical and U.S. Navy and defense contractor operations. He is a licensed FAA Airframe and Powerplant mechanic and private pilot, and was a production supervisor in airframe heavy maintenance operations for United Airlines from 1998-2003. He has taught at Purdue University since 2005. His teaching and research focus is on development of outcomes-based learning and assessment methods in technology and engineering curriculums, concentrating on learning tools and approaches that blend students technical skill sets with leadership, professional and safety performance management competencies sought by industry. He currently teaches a highly interactive senior level maintenance management capstone course (AT 402) utilizing Purdue' s large Boeing 727 and 737 transport aircraft.

Within the aviation department, Professor Ropp is active on curriculum, accreditation and research/engagement committees, and participates in local community outreach and educational activities at the airport that has involved special needs children, elementary/middle school and community civic organizations.

Edie K. Schmidt

Dr. Schmidt's teaching and research interests are in the areas of inventory management, distribution, logistics, and supply chain management. She has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses and has supervised graduate student projects, in these areas at the master' s level. Dr. Schmidt has worked with many Indiana companies to develop a Logistics training course, revise warehouse layouts, revise facility layouts, and other projects in the Logistics area.

Dan Delaurentis

Dr. DeLaurentis' doctoral research was motivated by the emerging paradigm of Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD), which sought to bring historically process-based statistical approaches to product design. His work focused upon the characterization, representation, and quantification of the impact of uncertainty on aerospace design problems.

Elisa Bertino

Professor Elisa Bertino joined Purdue in January 2004 as professor in Computer Science and research director at CERIAS. Her research interests cover many areas in the fields of information security and database systems. Her research combines both theoretical and practical aspects, addressing applications on a number of domains, such as medicine and humanities.